What Is Human-Computer Interaction and How Does It Work?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Human-computer interaction has transformed information technology (IT) and how we use computers. Keep reading to explore HCI examples and the key components of it.

[Featured Image] Two business colleagues are evaluating the human computer interaction on their website.

Key takeaways

Human-computer interaction (HCI) combines computer science, psychology, and design, with a focus on user experience.

  • HCI focuses on making technology universally accessible, enabling seamless experiences for users with varying physical and cognitive abilities.

  • Three examples of HCI are self-checkout at the grocery store, virtual reality, and voice search.

  • You can enhance your HCI skill set by learning more about UX design and its real-world applications.

Discover more about human-computer interaction, including its history, why human-computer interaction matters, and contemporary HCI examples. If you’re ready to begin a career in user experience design, enroll in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate, where you can learn about usability, wireframing, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) research, and more.

What is human-computer interaction?

Human-computer interaction (HCI) combines elements of communication theory, graphic and industrial design, social sciences, and cognitive psychology with computer sciences to focus on user satisfaction with technology. By understanding how people interact with computers, designers and developers can enhance technology adoption and improve user engagement. Human-centered computing aims to empower users and make technology both usable and relevant.

When you work in HCI, you aim to understand how people think and what they do, as well as how that impacts their interactions with technology. For example, someone taking an HCI approach to developing an app to help teachers take attendance would need to consider what will work best for that specific environment. Everything from choosing the app’s colors to methods for finding learner names and submitting the attendance report deserves consideration. Developers typically prioritize user-friendliness, functionality, safety, and security to create the best user experience possible.

Is HCI the same as HMI?

It’s important to note that people can commonly confuse an HCI with a human-machine interface (HMI). An HMI allows users to control a single machine. For example, in manufacturing, an HMI acts as a control panel for workers to give instructions to cut and press machinery. 

In some cases, an HMI might be a panel with buttons and knobs, while in other instances, the HMI includes a graphical user interface for the operator to interact with. The HMI software communicates with the programmable logic controller of the machine to take the requested action. This differs from an HCI, in which the user interacts directly with a computer in an open-ended way.

History of human-computer interaction

In the 1970s, the emergence of the personal computer changed the perspective on the user interface with machines. In the early 1980s, the field of human-computer interaction developed in response to the need to facilitate people's interactions with computers.

HCI began by focusing on making personal computing more accessible and user-friendly. However, the rise of new technologies broadened the focus to include the internet, social media, mobile devices, virtual reality, and much more.

Key components of human-computer interaction

Human-computer interaction considers how the user interacts with the technology and how they work together. To fully understand it, you’ll need to consider four key components.

1. The user

The user is the human at the heart of the people-centered interaction. Human factors must be considered in technology design, development, testing, and implementation. This can include ease of use, ergonomics, and how the user will think and react when interacting with that technology in their environment.

HCI considers an individual’s cognitive (sight, touch, hearing, voice, and spatial), connotative (e.g., perceived), affective (e.g., attitudes, feelings), and behavioral (e.g., desire for attention or power) needs, as well as social and cultural contexts.

2. The goal-oriented task

Whether you need to create a document for a project, research a topic for school or work, or just enjoy playing a video game, you have a specific reason for interacting with a computer. Human-computer interaction designers think about how to make your goal easier to achieve, while ensuring efficiency and safety. This requires them to consider task complexity, the user’s intention, the user’s skill level with technology, and the amount of time a given task will take.

3. The tools and interface

How the user completes a task also matters, specifically regarding what interface they use. In this case, the HCI considers factors such as:

  • Screen resolution

  • Display size

  • Color contrast

Human-computer interaction has value for many reasons. Paying attention to HCI makes using technology more straightforward and efficient for all users.

Today, human-computing interaction studies stretch well beyond the personal computer. As technology has evolved, so has HCI. This work includes:

  • Social media privacy design

  • Virtualization systems

  • Technology resistance

4. The context & environment

Where the interaction takes place heavily influences design. A user interacting with an app in a quiet office has different needs than a grocery shopper using a chaotic self-checkout lane or a driver using a voice-activated GPS on a noisy highway.

The interaction between a human and a computer is heavily shaped by the physical, social, and psychological surroundings of the user. In HCI, designers categorize environment into three distinct layers:

  • Physical Environment: This involves the literal space where the technology is used. Consider factors like lighting (e.g., a smartphone screen must be readable in direct sunlight), noise levels (e.g., a driver using a voice-activated GPS on a roaring highway needs high-accuracy voice recognition and clear audio feedback), and physical constraints (e.g., a grocery shopper at a self-checkout lane has their hands full and needs large, easily targetable touchscreen buttons).

  • Social and Cultural Environment: Technology is used around other people, which introduces social expectations and pressures. For instance, an employee using a business app in a quiet, shared office needs discrete, silent interactions rather than loud alerts. Conversely, social context can also mean designing for collaborative spaces, like a digital smartboard in a classroom or a multiplayer gaming setup.

  • Psychological Context (User State): Considering the user's internal state—such as their stress level, cognitive load, or urgency—is critical. A medical professional interacting with a hospital monitoring system during an emergency requires a highly streamlined, error-proof interface without distractions. The cognitive bandwidth a user has left to dedicate to the computer determines how simple or complex the interface can afford to be.

By designing with the environment in mind, HCI ensures that technology fits seamlessly into the user's actual life, rather than forcing the user to adapt to the machine.

Common examples of human-computer interaction

Human-computing interactions encourage human-like interactions with technology. You can find examples of human-computer interactions in various disciplines with a wide range of applications, such as:

  • Self-checkout: Self-service checkouts in a grocery store are an HCI technology that helps people avoid lines, control their checkout pace, and enjoy a more autonomous shopping experience.

  • Virtual and augmented reality: Virtual reality immerses users in realistic scenarios, which can simplify training scenarios and accommodate users with different needs.

  • Voice search: Voice search is a human-computer interaction that allows users to speak commands instead of having to click buttons or type in commands. This can improve productivity and streamline multitasking.

  • Targeted engagement: HCI research can help marketers ensure a company’s website or advertisements encourage customer purchases and engagement.

  • Customized data: Considering HCI, data scientists may develop customizable dashboards to help people analyze and report on their specific data.

Why does human-computer interaction matter?

HCI enables universal access, and plays a role as our society prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. New advancements in how people interact with technology can make computers accessible to people with disabilities. Consider the advantages offered by voice control for people who may have difficulty manipulating a mouse or working with a keyboard. Paying attention to HCI makes using technology more straightforward and efficient for all users.

Subscribe to Career Chat on LinkedIn to stay current regarding trends and job opportunities in UX design. You can also check out these free resources:

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated on
Written by:

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.